I’ve been diving into the world of smart home devices and am currently working on a new project that I’m really excited about. I’m building a custom device based on a Raspberry Pi, and I’m trying to figure out the best protocol to use for communication. The device has access to power and Ethernet, so low power consumption isn’t a big concern for me. I’m leaning towards using local Ethernet or Wi-Fi since they’re already built into the Raspberry Pi, but I’m also considering Z-Wave or Zigbee because there are daughter boards and sticks available that could work. However, I’m not sure if the extra cost and complexity are worth it if there aren’t significant advantages over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
One thing I’m worried about with Z-Wave and Zigbee is the need to meet the standards and pay the fees required by the organizations that control these protocols. That could be a hurdle, especially if I’m just starting out. On the other hand, Ethernet seems like the most straightforward option for me since I’m already familiar with it, and the device wouldn’t require a separate server—it could be controlled locally.
I’m also curious about how these protocols integrate with Hubitat. I’ve heard great things about Hubitat’s ecosystem, but I’m not sure about the specifics of how it communicates with devices. I’m looking for documentation that explains the communication requirements and also addresses IoT security, which is something I take very seriously.
If anyone has experience with choosing between these protocols or can point me to some resources that would help me make an informed decision, I’d really appreciate it! I’m especially interested in hearing from those who have successfully integrated custom devices into their smart home setups. Thanks in advance for any advice or insights you can share!